Litzana Riel (Lit-ZAH-nuh Ree-EL)

The Eastern Thief

Written by J. L. Gryphon

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Click Here for Audio Version

Ambient sounds courtesy of tosha73 and EminYILDIRIM

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Greetings to those below. I am Death, though I will always ask you call me Azrael. Today, as I promised, we’ll be discussing Litzana. I had to think for a while about what to say about her.

In doing so, I’ve come to an interesting realization. Much of what I’ve discussed, in some way or another, always circles back to Litzana. You wouldn’t think it with her being a common thief, but here we are.

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Protagonist

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by David Mark from Pixabay

I believe there is a word for this in your world, those below. Protagonist. Now Litzana would never think of herself as such. It’s not a word that happens in the world of Orosta very often. There’s never such a thing as one hero. However, from an outside perspective, I do think it is an accurate description.
For me, I suppose I experience a range of emotions when I think of her. Sadness, pity, a slight bit of frustration and impatience. There is affection in there, too, but mostly I feel contentment. And by that I mean, I am content to watch the plan my master has set in motion. That said, if I truly attempted to quantify her, I would inevitably fail. This is because Litzana is a little difficult to . . . capture. There is a quote from that musical I saw once. Um, The Sound of Music, if memory serves. How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? I believe the same could be asked of Litzana.
You see, at the end of the day, Litzana is going to do what Litzana is going to do. She doesn’t initially give this impression because at first glance she’s pleasant and agreeable. But at some point, you’ll hit a wall with her, and you’ll realize that everything you’ve experienced with Litzana up to now is what Litzana has wanted to do. Now that you disagree, Litzana will veer a sudden left that, to you, seems out of character, until you realize this is always how she’s been. Here is where you will see the flighty, conflict-averse, running away tendencies she has.
Litzana is not an evil person for doing this, though. In fact, what you are witnessing is the aftermath of quite a bit of trauma. She’s not a coward. She’s just terrified, and the instinct to run is so deeply ingrained in her brain, her heart, her soul, it would take quite a bit to break it. And I’m sorry to say, but you are probably not the one who could. There’s only one person who will have the chance to try, actually.
But she hasn’t met him yet.

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Unicorns & Trauma

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by katy sandvoss from Pixabay - Modified by J. L. Gryphon

Where does this trauma come from, though? What caused it? Well, I could give you the complete sordid history. I was there for most, if not all of it, which should give you at least some hint considering who I am. But in the interests of time, and out of respect for our wayward thief, I will simply say a lot of it is wrapped up with Anāriel the Black Unicorn. As sad as it is to say, I do believe Litzana hates Anāriel. Or, perhaps she hates the idea of her.
I think a lot of Litzana’s trauma is wrapped up in the town of Clearbrooke, too. Because as I said last time, Litzana was there the night Clearbrooke burned. You’ll remember, those below, that Clearbrooke burned because the Black Unicorn was sighted there. So, could it have been intentional that Litzana was there, as well? Could Litzana have been hunting Anāriel? Hmm.
Or maybe Anāriel was hunting Litzana.
Still, this is what I mean when I say all roads lead back to Litzana in one way or another. This includes Fred, Ree, Cali . . . and poor Kieran.

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Litzana & Kieran

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by J. L. Gryphon via Artbreeder

Kieran was born and raised in Clearbrooke, at least for the first eight years of his life. After Elghinyrrok the Judge attacked the town, Litzana rode in on her pegasus, and in a blaze of glory, she pulled him from dragon fire.
I do believe Kieran has loved her ever since. Poor Kieran.
Because as I said, Litzana is going to do what Litzana is going to do. And whatever she may do could come at any time. She has a talent for brewing an idea over years and years, except no one else will be aware of this idea. Then like a whirlwind or that pesky un-pinnable cloud, she’ll act on that idea and leave everyone startled by the wall they never knew was there.
The only warning sign I have been able to infer is when she starts to feel backed into a corner. When that trauma starts burning hot on the back of her neck, when other people start to notice the steam, she panics. She runs. And if my master’s plan is anything to go by, I think she will start feeling that panic again. She just might run again.
Soon.
Sadly, though, I think Kieran is starting to see the wall I spoke of earlier. There’s a part of him that knows she’ll run. Even from him. Poor Kieran.

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Fisherhooks

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by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Kieran might be more astute than most in this area if only because of the time he and Litzana spent with the Fisherhook Gang. That was during the time when Chabaal the Fisherman was still alive.
Turns out, the Fisherhooks became quite enamored with the idea of the Black Unicorn. Anāriel, the famed, elusive sister of Vānima the Veldriss was going to save them all. Naturally, Litzana didn’t like that very much. So she ran. Kieran ran with her, except . . . well. Even then, I think he knew he wasn’t running with her so much as he was chasing after her.
Litzana is going to do what Litzana is going to do.
It’s funny, though. Anāriel may well be the one hope the Fisherhook Gang has left. No matter what Litzana might think, they may not be unfounded in their fixation. Then again, all roads lead back to Litzana eventually, so . . . ah well. I suppose that’s a slightly different conversation. Shall I’ll talk about the Fisherhook Gang next time? Hmm.

Signed your content narrator,
Azrael the Star of Death

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Book Information

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To learn more, hop on over to the books page OR hop on over to the teaser and get a sneak peek of Chapter 1! For more articles like this one, have a peek at my Worldbuilding Journal and explore Orosta.

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Image by J. L. Gryphon via Artbreeder

Alignment

Chaotic Good

Species

Elf

Ethnicity

Zurrinaih

Other Ethnicities/Cultures

• Rhyonian

Professions

• Thief

Date of Birth

The Month of Chal, Day 24, 14948 NS

Year of Birth

14948 53 Years old

Birthplace

Unknown

Current Residence

Jersæg

Gender

Female

Eyes

Green

Hair

Brown

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale gray

Height

5'7"

Belief/Deity

The Children of Le Sair

Aligned Organization

Ree's Gang